Method of balancing current volume



Feb. 26, 1957 G. w. WATSON METHOD OF BALANCING CURRENT VOLUME AND STEAM GENERATION BY USE OF CURRENT CONDUCTING FILMS Original Filed Jan. 4, 1954 1N VEN TOR. El! 10. M47800 United States Patent cation; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

The present invention pertains to an automatic curassignor to Detroit Detroit, Mich., a corporent flow balancing and regulating method for an elec tronic vapor generator, particularly of the type as shown in my U. S. Patent No. 2,451,594, of October 19, 1948. The device as shown in this patent includes a conducting receptacle and a conductor suspended in the receptacle and terminating at a relatively short distance from the bottom thereof. The liquid in the bottom of the receptacle is originally conductive or is made slightly conductive. The spacing of the electrode from the wall of the receptacle is such that, when current flows in the liquid at the bottom of the receptacle, films of liquid will rise in the space between the electrode and the walls of the receptacle. These films are conductors and consumers of current and are instantly vaporized as described in the patent. The quantity of current flowing in the system varies according to the height of the column of films, or the number of film consumers in the circuit.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a constancy of current consumption with an apparatus that makes use of this phenomenon as a control for the flow of liquid into the receptacle, and hence the number of films. When the column of films has reached a predetermined maximum quantity, there issufiicient liquid in the receptacle, and the inlet should then be closed; conversely, when the column ofiilms has fallen to a predetermined minimum quantity, the inlet should be opened. In the accomplishment of this object and in accordance with these requirements, the liquid intake to the receptacle is controlled by a solenoid valve. The solenoid is energized and deenergized by operation of a switch which in turn is governed by the strength of the current flowing through the system. A micro-switch is employed for this purpose, and its lever is actuated by an armature which is displaced by a coil connected in the circuit. The liquid valve is normally open, when the deviceis in operation, and the micro-switch is normally closed. These conditions prevail when less than maximum current flows through the system, that is, when the column of films is at less than its maximum quantity. When the maximum quantity is reached, the current strength in the system is at maximum, and the parts are so adjusted that at this time the coil displaces the armature therein to open the micro-switch and de-energize the solenoid of the valve, whereupon the valve closes. When the column of films has dropped due to vaporization to apoint signifying that more liquid is required in thereceptacle, the current strength has droppedisutiieiently to permit the parts to return to the described normal position wherein the intake valve is opened.

The invention is fully described by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which- I v Figure l is a vertical section of the apparatus, showing also the wiring diagram, and

Re. 24,283 Reissued Feb. 26, I957 Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, show- 7 ing theliquid at a somewhat depressed level.

In Figure 1 is shown a steam generator of the general type shown and described in my United States Patents No. 2,451,594 of October 19, 1948, and No. 2,510,672 of June 6, 1950. In view of these disclosures a brief description of the instant generator will suffice.

A vessel 1 has an electrode 2 supported axially therein and may be in the form of a between parallel walls as shown in the drawing and forming an integral generator and boiler, or mounted within the boiler chamber, in the form of hollow cylinders as in the aforementioned patents.

The lower edge of the electrode is formed with tips 2' that initially touch the surface of the liquid and thereafter in operation engage only the small baskets 5 of film formed beneath the tips.

The upper end of the electrode is formed as a rod 3 passing through the top of the receptacle and secured therein byv suitable fastening means. A conductor 6 is secured to the fastening means or the rod 3 by a clamping ventional in character.

nut 8, and the rod 3 is insulated at 10 from the top of the receptacle. A water inlet pipe 12.extends to the bottom of the vessel 1, and a steam outlet 14 extends from the top to the point or points where steam is to be used, such as radiator, boilers and the like.

The pipe 12 has a valve seat 16 controlled by a sole noid valve. The latter comprises a winding 18 within which is an armature 20 carrying one end with a valve plug 22 adapted to engage the seat. This valve is con- Water is admitted to the op posite end 24 of the pipe 12 from a tank or other source. One end of the winding 18 is joined by a conductor 26 to ground at 28, is also connected to ground by a conductor 30.

Current in the solenoid 18 is controlled by a microswitch 32 joined by a conductor 34 to the remaining end of the solenoid. design which will now 36 of the switch has a the switch. One end of the arm 36 is pivoted to a by pivotal adjustment of the plate suspended plate 40 having a vertical slot 42. A screw 44 passed through the slot into the body of the switch enables vertical adjustment of the plate on the body and enables adjustment of the lever arms of the member 36- 40 on the screw 44.

Above the arm 36 is a coil 46 of enameled heavy wire of about one-eighth inch diameter. One end of the winding is connected at 48 to the conductor 6 and the other end by a conductor 50 to a power source 52.

In the coil 46 is mounted a tubular armature 54 set in an insulating sleeve 56. The coil is supported by an insulated bracket 57. In the armature is secured a brass nut 58 through which is threaded a brass screw 60 extending outward of the armature and resting on the arm 36. By means of the screw, the position of the armature 54 in the coil may be regulated, with current strengths may be required to operate the switch 32. The usual return spring (not shown) within switch 32 presses upward on arm 36. Conductors 62 and 64 extend respectively from the conductor 48 and the remaining terminal of the switch 32 to a thermostat or other switches for controlling the flow of current in theshunt circuit that includes the switch 32 and the winding 18.

In the operation of the device, when the body of water or other liquid 66 in the bottom of the vessel 1 engages the lower end of the electrode 2, with current available thereto, water films 68 will rise in the spaces between the electrode and the walls of the vessel. These films, the wall of the vessel 1 and the conductor 30, carry current and rapidly become vaporized through them, as fully described by the current flowing vertical oblong plate spaced and the conducting wall of the vessel 1 the result that various It will thus be seen that the includes -the coil 46, the con- 2, the films, the vessel 1 and conin the foregoing patents. circuit from the source 52 ductor 6, the electrode ductor 30.

The solenoid valve 1822 is so constructed as to take an open position when current is flowing in the winding 18. The micro-switch 32 is in a closed position when the armature 54 exerts little pressure on the arm 36 other than its weight. Increased current in the coil 46 is necestion. constantvolume'ofsteam.

The amount'of current flowing in the system increases as the quantity of volume of films 68 rises, since more conducting films are progressively formed. Such incre'asedcur'rent will ultimately'be sufiicient todepress the armature 54. The

when the films have evaporated to reduce the column to a predetermined lesser quantity, "less current will flowthtough the system, the armature 54 will rise, -s'witch 32 will close, and the solenoid valve will open to admit more Water.

Although the invention has been disclosed in conneccent electrodes having opposite potentials.

This method may be used to maintain large steam boilers, etc.

water level in Also, the armature 54 may be a part of or connected directly to the valve'22, thereby eliminating the micro-switch.

-WhatIclairn is:

1. The-method of balancing current volume and steam wh said electrode and the walls; of said tained in a current eonducting vessel, liquid rise between her ot films; in said vessel.

'2. The method of balancing current volume and steam generation by use of current consuming and steam producing conducting films, consisting in mounting an elec-, trode in initial surface contact with a body of liquid contained-in a current-conducting vessel, whereby films --of her of films in said vessel.

3. The method of balancing current volumeand Steam generation by use of current consuming and steamiproducing conducting lilms, consisting in mounting an electrode in initial surface contact with abody of liquid con tained in a current-conducting vessel, whereby films of liquid rise between said electrode and the walls of said 5 vessel, providing a fluid inlet to the bottom of said vessel With a valve in said inlet,

sumed by the varying said vessel. 7

4. The method of balancing current volume and steam generation by use of current consuming and steam proopp'osite potential contacting a body of liquid'therein, the said method consisting in mounting at least one electrode in initial surface Contact with the body of liquid contained in said vessel whereby films of providing a fluid inlet ofliquid "therein, electrode in initial surface contact with the bbz'ty of liquid contained in said vessel whereby filmsof liquid 'rise between said electrodes, providing a fluid inlet to tlie bottom of said vessel with a valve in said inlet, incorporating in the circuitof e varying quantity 'of said s'a'fid electrodes. I 6. Ilie'met'hod of opposite potential contacting a body of liquid therein, the said method consisting in mounting at le list one'elect rd e in initial surface contact with the body I ed in said vessel whereby films of liquid operable "ofn ire-determined 55 rre ct'ed to a micro "n iirnbe'fr o' 'ffilnis m said vessel. hod of balancing 'current volume and steam on inasteam generating vessel including a fluid and regulating said fluid Wm s e' betweensaidelctrod supply I pensive tonne amount of current consumed by b rying 'qzi'antity "at said "filins rising between said 'eie'trods.

harnesses Cindi- "tliefileo fthispatnt o'r theo'riginal patent UNI-TED STATES PATENTS 17665793 Sa'ndborgh- Apr. 10, 192-8 

